Astronomers identify source of mysterious repeating radio bursts from red dwarf star

Astronomers have traced mysterious repeating radio bursts back to a red dwarf star, likely in a binary orbit with a white dwarf. This marks the first time a source has been identified for these signals, which were first discovered in 2022. The newly identified source, named GLEAM-X J0704-37, emits radio pulses every 2.9 hours. This is the slowest long-period radio transient found to date. Previous sources were located deep within the Milky Way, complicating identification. The red dwarf likely generates a stellar wind that interacts with the magnetic field of the white dwarf, producing radio waves. This discovery may help explain the mechanisms behind these long-period radio signals.